U.S. Will Strike ISIS in Palmyra if Russians and Syrians Don’t Act

Gen. Townsend says ancient city must be taken back from Islamic State

WASHINGTON—The U.S. will strike Islamic State in Palmyra if Russian and Syrian government forces fail to push back and retake the Syrian city, according to the top American commander in charge of the U.S.-led coalition targeting the extremist group.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said Islamic State’s recapture of Palmyra from Russian and Syrian forces had become a cause of concern for the U.S.-led coalition because the extremist...